James kennedy



(No Model.)

J. KENNEDY.

FIBER MACHINE.

N0. 350,063. Patented Sept. 28, 1886.

J i I WITNESSES: I VENTOR: i BY ATTORNEYS.

UNITED TATES ATENT Fries.

JAMES KENNEDY, OF KINGSTON, JAMAICA, \VEST INDIES.

FIBER-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,063, datedSeptember 28, 1886.

Application filed January 30, 1886. Serial No. 190,301. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, JAMES KENNEDY, 0 Kingston, Jamaica, \Vest Indies,have in vented a new and improved Fiber-Machine, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates particularly to machines for treating the leaves,stalks, and other portions of fiber-bearing plants for obtaining fibertherefrom (after partial setting to soften the skin or rind adhering tothe pulp) without chemical treatment.

The improvement consists, principally, in the shape and position of thescraping block, it being placed directly above the series of revolvingscrapers, and the face of the block being a flat surface instead of aconcave surface, as heretofore.

The invention also consists in constructing the scraping-block in suchmanner that-the feeding may take place from the side of the machine andpermit the stalks, leaves, &c., to be drawn outward, thereby making apositive feed, whereas in the present machines the fiber, 830., must beintroduced into the machine at the same side at which itis withdrawn.

The invention also consists in supporting the scraper-block by springsarranged to pre;

vent recoil and vibrating action, which is detrimental to a niceadjustment of the block and rapid action.

The invention finally consists of the con struction, arrangement, andcombination of parts, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure l is a side elevation of my new and improved fiber-machine, andFig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation takcn on the line mm of Fig.1.

A represents the frame of the machine, in

which the main shaft B isjournaled, and which supports the table 0 andthe overhanging arm D. Upon the shaft B is secured the macerating-drumE, that carries the rollers E and radial scrapers E The overhanging armD supports the scraperblock F, between which and the scrapers androllers E E the fiber material is treated. The block F is rectangular inshape, and is formed with the fiat surface a and rounded corners a a,and at its outer end it is beveled off, as shown at a, to facilitate thefeeding of the material to be treated to the machine. The block F is, bypreference, held in a metal frame, G, which is attached to the lowerends of the upright screwrods H H, held loosely in openings in theoverhanging arm D. Upon the screw-rods H are placed the coiled springs II, which act between the upper flange, d, of the arm D and the nuts I)on the rods H, and consequently press the block F downward, but permitit to yield in case any uneven or large mass of material should enterthe machine. Upon the upper ends of the screwrods H are placed the nutsJ, by which the block may be raised or lowered. By turning the nuts I)up or down upon the screw-rods I the tension of the springs I may beincreased or diminished, as desired, and by adjusting these nuts thepressure may be accurately regulated to the material to be treated, sothat there will be no recoil and vibrating action of the springs, whichis always detrimental to good results. Rising from the table 0 are thepins or studs K K, for the purposes described below.

In operating the machine one person places the leaf or stalk to betreated upon the table O alongside the stud K, with its butt-end towardthe block F. Another person now reaches over from the opposite side ofthe table and takes the butt-end of the leaf and enters the samesidewise into the opening marked W until the plant reaches the stud K,and now the leaf or stalk is drawn outward against the stud K as a guidein the oblique direction to the center of the shaft B and from the righthand to the left until the fiber is completely withdrawn beyond the studK, which acts to keep the fiber over the center of the scrapers E". Therapid rate at which the scrapers revolve tends to keep the fibers instraightlines, thereby preventing the entanglement and waste so commonwith other fiber-machines, as the fibers are constantly subjected totension. By constructing the scraper -block F affords aready means ofadjusting the block F,

and prevents the block from going too near the scrapers while the plantis being cleaned, and the studs K K cause the fiber to pass directlyover the top of thescrapers, thereby removing all the pulp. The bevelingof the outer end of the block A and the arrangement of the machinewhereby the material to be treated can be introduced at the side of themachine instead of pushing it in endwise and then withdrawing it (as itis now performed) cause the action of cleaning to be most perfectly donewhile the leaf is being withdrawn.

Another advantage arising from the arrangement of this new machine is,that the leaf is alwaysunder tension, which removes the difficnltyheretofore experiencedviz., that of pushing in a limp, softened plant.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In afiber-niachine, the block F,held above the table andmacerating-drnm and formed with a fiat lower surface, a, substantiallyas described.

' 2. In a fiber-machine, the block F, held in the overhanging arm Dbythe adjustable rods H, having the springs I placed therein,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The table 0, provided with guide pins or studs, in combination withthe block F and macerating-drum E, substantially as described.

4. In a fiber-machine, the table 0 and macerating-drnm E, in combinationwith the overhanging arm D, supporting the block F, whereby the materialmay be fed into the machine at the end of the block F, substantially asde JAMES KENNEDY.

Witnesses:

Gno. E. HosKINsoN, Gno. CORNELIUS.

